Look who is turning 2!!!

 A party??? All dressed up and ready to go!!!

Thanks for the pretty party dress, Gramma and Grampa... who knew we would have so many occasions!

The birthday girl... little Arianna!

And another little beauty...

Can NOT believe my friend Zoe's beautiful birthday cupcakes... these are only her second attempt at decorating... and beautiful... I see a business in the making!

There were kitties, and piggies, and sheep, and pandas and frogs!  And she hasn't even seen my Hello Cupcake books!

A beautiful table of course...

and flag bunting...

Arianna's shiny, new, second birthday kitchen!

And the guests have arrived!

What's all this ruckus?

I'm a little teapot... or I found one anyway...

And the second great unveiling of the day...  an outdoor playhouse!  These little ones were so much fun to watch.  The older ones had some great Shakespearian drama going on - with love and hate, and good guys and bad guys; while the little ones just loved to slam the door...

Elisa takes over while Mama is in the kitchen... nom, nom, nom.

Lots of beautiful mothers in attendance, too, of course!

Zoe made burgers that were out of this world... 

Time for candles... SNORT!

Oh, the anticipation...

2 funny!  I think there was a bit of a shower with this precious, little blow!

I wish I had some video... she was jumping in her seat!

So blase'... I could not catch a smile...

likewise... but still so cute.

But this one, was effervescent!!!

O. is so animated... love it.

What a princess...

I know all us Mums enjoyed it, too...  what a beautiful day.

Thanks Zoe, it was so lovely.  And may Arianna enjoy many, many more!

But Mr. Tumble has a red nose!!!!

Royal Wedding Luncheon... Tiaras and Tea

I just got this picture today from one of my girlfriends (thanks Amanda)...  thought you folks at home might like to see what I elected to wear as hostess to the Tiaras and Tea Luncheon...   always fun to recycle old formal dresses - who said you can't wear them twice???

It was so much fun I had to post a picture!!

Royal Wedding Luncheon... Tiaras and Tea

All dressed up and soooooo excited!  Everytime the doorbell rings... look out!  She'll knock you over on her way to answer it!

Scones and clotted cream, cucumber sandwiches, quiche, cakes... yum. yum. yum.

Budapest Souvenirs

Admittedly, this is for my lady friends...  who can understand and appreciate what this means for my kitchen... :)

I collect blue and white "stuff" for my kitchen... some of it Dutch Delft inspired, some of it just kind of old-fashioned and "kitcheny," and increasingly... stuff we find on our travels.  I try to stick with items that can be hung on the walls, but have some items which sit on a shelf as well...

We also collect black and white prints from as many cities as we can find them in...  believe it or not, there are many places which only have colored ones...  This is something my parents did when they lived in Europe, and I always liked it...

SO here are our finds...  A print with Hungarian Parliament, a blue and white tin of Hungarian paprika (they cook everything with it...) a ceramic relief tile with Hungarian dancers - the white one which looks kind of like a mold, and a lovely blue and white ceramic plate.  Pretty good, for I think about 30 Euros? 35?